Scotland - coast to coast

We forgot to mention we reached our 2000 milestone 11th August.
Afternoon ferry to Ullapool.Great views of water falls on either side of the Loch as we approached port.As we disembarked the heavens opened and a very strong head wind -fortunately only had a few hundred yards to cycle to Ullapool campsite
14th.When we emerged in the morning sunshine we could see what a fab setting surrounded by mountains and estuary views.The glorious weather continued as we cycled towards Inverness through wonderful mountain scenery.Camped at Beauly on the river.
15th.Another sunny day -went down South side of Loch Ness to lovely unspoilt village of Fort Augustus ,where there is an opening road bridge to allow yachts through to 4 locks at the Caledonian canal.
16th.Cycled the tow path and off road through private estates and forest.Met a very interesting lock keeper who was busy letting yachts ,holiday barges and all sorts through Gairlochy Lock and operating an opening swing road bridge.There were quite a lot of touring cyclists following this Great Glen cycling route.We paid our respects at the Spean bridge Commando memorial -magnificent with the back drop of Nevis.The summit was hidden in cloud.
17th The cloud lifted from Nevis as we left Roybridge campsite ;glorious view of the summit and snow patches on this North side.Cycled through the Drumocther pass to Blair Atholl on wonderful cycle route beside the railway and river,surrounded by the Cairngorms.The highest railway in UK.Camped in the Blair estate by the castle .A 5 star enormous site .The village is still all estate owned and very quaint.
18th .We knew it couldn't last -the weather deteriorated and rained all day -so we decided to keep on cycling past Perth -67 miles to camp near pleasant village of Kinross .The rain continued all night !
19th Fine in the morning and all day as we headed for the Forth Rd bridge ,pausing to take photos of the railbridge-then a puddley trip along the canal to Linlithgow and up the hill to Jane and Mikes where a feast of lamb and sampling of Mikes famous wine cellar sustained us.We are now drying out as everything got wet when we had to wade through a flooded section of cycle route near Dunfermeline -even deeper than in Wales -keeping Jane's washing machine busy .
20th To spend pm in Edinburgh sampling the Fringe.

Plan to head south thru the Borders from Wednesday, to call at Mike's sister's in Mansfield.

Further Islands

8th Aug - Ferry from Tobermory to Kilchoan on Ardnamurchan Peninsula (mainland). Great ride from Kilchoan thru Peninsula & Miodart area to Arisaig.
9th - Arisaig to Mallaig then ferry to Skye. Good weather all day for ride to Sligochan. Wonderful views of the Red & Black Cuillin. Good off main drag routes.
10th - Portree then to Staffin via 'Old Man of Storr'. Great coast & mountian views & waterfall to sea at Kilt Rock.
11th - Wonderful ride over the Quiraing rode to Uig. Saw Hen Harrier close to road. Ferry from Uig to Tarbert on Harris. Amazing 'lunar landscape scenery of south Harris.
12th - Steady days ride from south Harris to Stornoway on Lewis. Poor visibility, but some good coastal loch views.
13th - Stornoway Library internet while waiting for 1345 ferry to Ullapool

Will spend next few days cycling down thru Scotland (Great Glen etc) to Edinburgh to see Sue's sister Jane & family. Weather forecast not brilliant - might get wet!

West Scotland - Islands

Spent lovely weekend in NI withLiz and family ,Great to be chauffered us up beautiful Antrim coast rd in brilliant sun .
30th. Road past Slemish mountain to pm ferry from Larne to Troon. Met LA cyclist with trailer ,
31st ferry to Arran ,Mini Scotland -mountains lakes .2 beautiful days -Golden eagles ,seals red deer. Geologists dream -huttons unconcormity!
2nd ferry to Isla .Fab weather camped in dunes -views of Gigha.
4th mainland route ( to Oban to catch ferry to Mull.Great views of Osprey family.
20mins off ferry on Mull saw white tailed sea eagle .
7th Camping Tobermory -off north to mainland and Skye tomorrow.